Aardman, the animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, is giving 75% of the company to its 140 employees. The founders, Peter Lord and David Sproxton, want to keep the company independent and avoid selling it to a big studio.
They’ll still own 25% and plan to stay involved for now — Lord as creative director and Sproxton as a consultant. The company makes money from films, games, ads, and lots of merchandise. Aardman made about £30 million last year.
The employees will own their share through a trust and can get bonuses. A new board will be formed, including staff voices, and the team will help run the business. They believe this setup will help keep the company creative and secure.
Reflection.
It’s great to see a creative company choosing people over profit. Giving ownership to employees feels like a rare move, it shows real care for the future of the studio and the people who built it. It also keeps the original spirit of Aardman alive, which is all about doing things differently.
This video features a talk by John Maeda on leadership. The way he delivers his presentation is really engaging — instead of jumping straight into slides or facts, he begins with a Q&A and speaks directly to the audience. This personal approach draws people in and makes them feel involved from the start.
One of the key ideas he discusses is Moore’s Law, which explains how technology has rapidly evolved over time. For example, today’s computers are 2 billion times faster and cheaper than those made in 1970. This shows how fast the world is changing, and why design needs to keep up.
Maeda also talks about diversity and inclusion in design. He believes that including people who are different from you in your creative work makes your business more impactful and innovative.
Another idea he shares is about potential. When you're young, people tell you that you have potential. When you're older, they talk about what you've already achieved. But Maeda encourages us to hold onto that feeling of potential throughout our lives, to keep aiming forward, no matter your age.
He also makes the point that as we get smarter, we can become less open-minded. For example, older people might avoid using apps like Snapchat, but he argues that staying up to date with technology helps us stay connected, inclusive, and open to new ideas.
Finally, he talks about the importance of getting out of your bubble. If you always stay in the same environment, you won’t grow. He suggests going on “field trips”, trying new experiences and stepping into other communities, as a way to keep learning and evolving as a creative business.
This video called "How to Launch and Run a Design Studio" by Computer Arts and it really got me thinking. The designers in it talked a lot about starting with a clear creative vision and just having real passion for what you do. It’s not about being flashy or huge, it’s about knowing what kind of work you care about and building from there.
They also mentioned how important it is to have a good team. People who you trust and who bring something different to the table. I liked the bit about building strong relationships with clients too, being honest, doing good work, and staying in touch. It makes sense that if people enjoy working with you, they’ll keep coming back.
One thing that stuck with me was how they said to grow slowly and not rush. It’s okay to stay small while you figure things out. And even when things are going well, to keep reflecting and adapting. That idea of staying curious and open to change feels really relevant right now.
Melinda shared her journey from working in a corporate setting to starting her own design studio. She emphasized the importance of focusing on specific goals, raising rates, and delegating tasks to grow a business effectively.